Introduction to Learning Essay

My experience with learning is filled with twists and turns. There were times I liked it and times when I could have cared less. For example, learning time in the second grade was not my favorite thing (though the skill is definitely a blessing). This past year I thought my American history class was going to be dreadful (as I had not cared for it in the fifth grade) but I was wrong. I still might not like every period of it, but I loved seeing how everything was connected. My geography class in the seventh grade was one of my favorites. I did not always love reading as much as I do now, but the love was always there. It picked up in about middle school when I had more freedom to read what I desired. Soon after followed writing which was not my favorite activity in the world and nowhere close, but I learned to enjoy it. While there are times I can say I was not eager to learn, I can say I do like to overall. In "Artes Liberales", James Schall discusses liberal education and what it truly means and the impact it can have.

The liberal arts is more than just subjects. Schall states that they “enable us to better see what is there” and are “the collected wisdom”. They free us from “slavery” by giving us knowledge. The liberal arts also “‘develop the faculties of the human mind’” (24, 31) Discovering new information helps expand the world around us. I agree with Aristotle when he says “‘To be learning something is of the greatest of pleasures’” (Schall 33). Walking through life aimlessly is pointless, but acquiring knowledge opens the doorway to the world. A little spark of happiness lights up when a interesting new fact is learned.

Some ask what the point of learning history is because it is the past. Schall emphasizes the importance of it by explaining that no one has the full picture unless they have studied history and the ancient works since the past and present are connected (27). If you know what has already happened there is a greater chance of understanding the present. What also stood out to me was his discussion of the quadrivium, particularly the math. Even if a subject is not a favorite or is not going to be your major, there are abilities that can still be learned that are useful in life (31). Algebra was that way for me. I asked several times what good it would do me in life. I may not use the formulas, but I know how to read a word problem and solve equations. If a person goes away having gained nothing he either did not apply himself or the subject failed.

Books have a power all their own. They contain ideas and thoughts. Words free us from our not knowing (Schall 24, 26). That is why books are banned because the people that read them can get ideas and will not be forced back into the dark corner. Books enhance learning. It would be boring to sit and listen to people lecture all the time. While listening to others is good, sometimes we realize things when we sit down and discover them for ourselves in writing. That experience can mean a lot more because we discovered it for ourselves.

Learning is important and knowledge is freeing. That one of the most important arguments I took away. Learning should be a joy, not something to be dreaded (though I certainly have). As Schall states “Just to ‘know’ something is itself a pleasure, even if we must learn to enjoy it” (27). If someone thinks loving learning is ridiculous, they just need to find something that intrigues them (if they do not have an interest already) and learn it in a fun or interesting way. Work is often involved, but we should not let this take away from it and should not view it as demeaning. If we let it, it could possibly be as freeing as the learning. Reading and listening to other people’s views should intrigue us because it is helping to expand our horizons. Additionally, making mistakes is okay (as we hear over and over again) because we can gain experience from them and we come closer to the truth (Schall 40). Education helps us to better understand the world around us as well as “the necessary intellectual tools and information fully to explain us to ourselves” (Schall 41).

The liberal arts allow us to better know the world around us and make us better. They give a pleasure and a joy to learning and the attainment of knowledge.The work that may come with knowing should not be looked down upon but add to the pleasure. Experiences with learning should be happy, though there is no guarantee that it will always be so (as I can see with mine). Books and words help penetrate the darkness of not knowing as do other people and mistakes. Let us learn with joy so we can be free.